Sometimes I think YouTube was invented simply to supply humankind with another way to fill the seemingly empty moments of our day or give us a diversion from the gnawing fear of boredom and self reflection.
Or perhaps we oftentimes squander and frivol away the moments that make a dull day because somewhere deep down, we truly believe amusement can fill the void in our souls?
Please don’t hear me judging – because I’m usually one of the first on the planet to check out the latest viral videos. Over the years I have witnessed the magic of Charlie biting a finger, had the Gummy Bear song stuck in my head, and contemplated therapy after voluntarily subjecting my mind to PSY, Bieber, and One Direction (‘cause that’s what makes me beautiful!).
But then once in a great while a video comes along that transcends that pop culture memes and delivers an audio/visual experience that may be the best four minute investment of your time that you’ve made in, well, a long time.
So while I have your attention, may I introduce you to Falling Plates by Cru…please view it with an open heart and mind – and consciously allow the life changing message to saturate and satiate you in a way that only inspiring media can.
Now consider the words more deeply…
You. Look at your eyes. Look at them. Speckled. Colorful. Each one unique. And I created every one of them. I created everything. The universe. And you. I gave you your personality. I made you pure. Complex. And every day I give you life. I love you.
Do you believe that? The Bible declares that every human being on earth was “woven together” by God’s perfect hands – and you are no exception.
And do you also believe that He loves you? He loves you more than you could possibly imagine – more than you could ever fathom, for He has engraved your name of the palms of His hands…
But something happened. You cheated on me. You didn’t trust me. You sinned. You cut yourself off from me. And although you’re still alive… you are slowly dying. So you looked for other things, to fill the void. But nothing works. It just kills you faster. And separates us more and more. What are you searching for? Sex? Intimacy? Love?
I don’t want you to die. I created you. Not to be destroyed. But to know me.
Deep down we all know this is true – right? Our paths to fulfillment apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ may vary in sizes and shapes, but they all lead to Destination Destruction. By now you must have realized that you are a fragile plate that has fallen and broken into the pieces of shattered relationships, hopes, dreams, and lives.
But you can be made whole again…
So I became one of you. A fragile creation. I was tempted. But I never sinned. I came to save you. You have so many sins. And they have a cost. Someone has to die – you or me. So I took on your sin. And traded in my life for yours. And I died, in your place. Because I love you.
Jesus Christ – God in the flesh. He traded in His last breath to breathe life into our souls. He freely offered His body to be broken on the cross so we could be restored to the beautiful and perfect masterpiece we were created to be by His own hands in our mother’s wombs…
Then – I rose from the dead. I am the Way. The Truth. And the Life. I’m Jesus. I’m not here to condemn you. I came to bring you back to life. Rely on me. I will forgive you. And give you eternal life. I love you. And I did all of this to have a relationship with you.
A man dying on a cross is just that…simply another criminal paying the price for his crimes in the cruel world of the Roman Empire.
But a Man who dies on a cross and then walks out of His own grave three days later has proven His claim to be “THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life.” He is the only way to heaven because before Him, there was no way at all…
Will you follow me?
How could I not? How could I not commit my heart, soul, mind and strength to the One who chose to die rather than live without me?
And how could I ever for a moment think that it is OK to keep this wonderful news to myself? The price for our sins has been paid in full, and today is the day of salvation. Don’t allow your friends to remain a “fallen plate” – free them from the slavery of sin and religious deception by investing in THE Cause and communicating this simple truth:
For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life (John 3:16 AMP).
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
The next time you are surfin’ the net and spending time on YouTube with your friends, be sure and show them Falling Plates and use it as an opportunity to talk about your relationship with Jesus.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Jesus, thank You for becoming one of us so You could pay the price and heal our broken lives. Help us to remember this truth and live it out so that others will want a relationship with You.
Read: 1 Timothy 1:15. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Get: Life in 6 Word Outreach Books. Based on another engaging YouTube video of the same name, the visually engaging outreach book Life in 6 Words are a great catalyst to spiritual conversation with their friends who need Jesus. Youth leaders can get 100 free copies of the book from Dare 2 Share through the Share 6 Campaign website. Youth Leaders, get your free copies today!
Youth Leader’s Discussion Questions:
Big Idea:
Falling Plates is a video that beautifully sums up our problem and God’s solution.
Key Scripture:
John 3:16
ALT-ernative Questions:
- How has God mended your “falling plates”?
- What part of the video spoke to you the most? Why?
- What comments would you leave for this video?
- What other ways could you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?
